The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-04-21

not, supposed was intended on her part tC
give your humble servant to understand
that she was not for him at least
hut with this exception, she showed nc
partlallty Tor one more than another. This
was tantalizing, to say the least If she
went 10 ride with Smithers one day, she
was sure to ride with Brown the next. Il
she went to lecture with Viii e, she would
| go 10 concert with Green, Black, or Gray
"She's coquette," said Smithers.
| II think not" said Brown ''She Lasn't
gwen single gentleman in Larragona any
| reason to suppose that she is, or can be
| any thing more than a friend to him. Is il
her fault that you are all so madlv in love
with her! We buzz around Eer like a
swarm Of BEES. We can't keep away Now
what would you have her do, forbid every
| gentleman except yourself to enter the
hoIse!'
mo, but she might show her prefer.
ence," answered Smithers.
Eyes, if she has any"
swell, Of course she has"
You think sou
This conversation, which took place In
my store one afternoon about six weeks
after Miss Budderfi's return home, might
have taken very unpleasant turn at this
point but Tor the entrance of a couple of
ladies' One was Lawyer Dunrcady's wife,
and the other was stranger to US all.
Ihastened to wait upon Mrs. Dunready,
While the strange lady stopped at the show
case at the further end of the counter.
am quite intimate with the Dunreadys-I
stood godfather to their only son, a late ar
rival IN Larragoha- am pretty well ac-
quainted with all their relations and
friends" but here was one that had never
seen before. Leaning over cut of sheeting
which Mrs. Dunready was examining, i
whispered my question POLITICALLY, thus
who is the maid with golden hair,
With eyes of fire and foot of air?'
"Pshawl Leda wears a number six boot,
aud her eyes are a sky bluc,'' answered
Mrs. Dunready. ''She is a widow, and my
cousin, Mrs. Vastings. She was married
eight years ago and went to Chicago Has
just returned to the East, and l hope she
will remain. Shall introduce you!"
by all means"
The lady swept along toward US. She
was really Notwithstanding woman
She smiled grac.ously upon me when the
introduction was made, and every body
knows what widows smile is. A pretty
maiden's is like sunshine, but widows is
sunshine after rain-perfectGy glorious!
She was of blonde complexion, with the
most wonderful golden hair; and more
wonderful still it was all her own, not even
excepting the color. Then she had a voice
low and soft as doves, and the most ex-
quisite nose Lips ''like thread of scar
let" and teeth-but let US let them alone,
they were beautiful, but who made them
so! never knew the dentists name.
At last Mrs. Dunready, having completed
her purchases, turned to go.
"Why haven't you called upon US, Mr.
OnjOncS!" she asked; and the widows
eyes said, ''why don't your
1--WE been thinking of it for some time"
returned.
''Is it subject that requires great deal
of thought!'' inquired the widow, with u
witchIng little smile playing around the
corners of those scarlet lips.
mo, not now"
"You will como up this evening, per-
haps?" said Mrs. Dunrcady.
eyes"
The ladies bowed and withdrew
And so that evening spent at Mrs. Dun
reGdy's. But on my way there was obliged
to rass Mr.nBudderf1i's and there on the
piazza was Medora and her friends, Miss
Pinman ard Miss Clintoe, surrounded by
Brown, Smitlers and Black. 1 touched my
hat to the ladies and passed on, and thought
that Medora must have experienced sense
of relief that one of her admirers had with
drawn, for one evening at least.
l found Dunready and the ladies as
sembled on the lawn in front of the house,
engaged in game of croquet.
"Ah, Jonjones,n cried Dunready, "you
are lust in season to commence the game
with u.s."
"Leda was just wishing you would come"
said his wife, with mischievous smile at
her fair friend.
The widow blushcd as much as it was pos
sible for a widow to, and looked down,
knowing perhaps that her eyelashes were
quite long and really worth showing.
IT'S sweet to know there is an eye VIII mark
Our coming and look brighter wren we come,
quoted, IestlnS:y.
Il am - lad that you think such knowl
edge is sweet i shall begin to have hopes
of you, notwithstanding l have hitherto
considered YOU such an incorrigible old
bachelor" said Mrs. Dunready, driving
her ball through the first wicket.
Old bachelorl How could she be so cruel
to me when a handsome widow stood with
that looked much younger, but that OK
preston would carry the idea that was
much older than really was. have al
ways been very rcticent upon the subject
of my age, and as am not native of Lar
ragona; in fact, had only been a resident
there about ten years at that time, there
fore no one knew how long had been an
Inhabitant of this terrestrial sphere, and
was certainly not only young looking man,
but rather good-looking, too, if do say it.
But had a secret that. if known, would
have materially affected the general i'm
preston regarding the number of years
that had circled over my head, and conse-
quently whenever the slightest allusion
was made to my age trembled and turned
pale. did not color my hair; oh, no, there
isn't a silvered thread to be found in it. My
hair is my GROWING glory" All the la
dies pronounce it beautiful! 1 fancy the
widow admired it.
by the way, Mr.. Jonjones, suppose you
have heard that the ladies are to hold a fair
here in about fortnight?'
YES; / was called upon to contribute
some time age" croqueting Dunready's bail.
swell, we are to have tableaux, and /
want you TO take part"
NE! w ny, neFOr aPP0otOu OOAoio Ine
public in my life"
"What of thatl All you'll have to do
will be to show YOURSELF said Mrs. Dun
ready.
land whom or what am to representa-
captain John Smith. Mr.. White will
Pow hatan, and Leda, Pocahontas.
l spoke to Mr. White about it this afternoon;
and now, Mr.. Joniones, can we depend upon
youf"
$40 be sure we CAMP cried Mrs. VsStings,